Understanding how genetic changes affect blood cell evolution in leukemia
Official title: Deciphering Determinants of Somatic Evolution with Single-Cell Genealogy
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11033777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain blood cells can change over time and potentially lead to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding how these changes happen at a very detailed level, which could help improve treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $126,830 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HG013991-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or those at risk of developing this condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancers or non-cancerous blood disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how somatic cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells, evolve through genetic and epigenetic changes that can lead to conditions like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). By creating a detailed lineage map of these cells, the study aims to uncover the impact of various genetic modifications on cell behavior and competition. The researchers will develop a system to trace these changes at a single-cell level, allowing for a better understanding of how normal blood cell development can transform into leukemia. This approach includes using advanced techniques like CRISPR to explore the causes of these changes on a large scale.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the mechanisms of leukemia, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic tracing techniques to understand cancer evolution, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weng, Chen — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Weng, Chen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.